Ayunga blow for United ahead of Dalymount date

Encouraged by last Friday's excellent FAI Cup second round win over St Patrick's Athletic, United will be keen to deliver another victory in the capital.

Jonah Ayunga and substitute Eoin McCormack capped a resilient United display with two brilliant goals as Shane Keegan's charges advanced to the quarter-final stage of the competition. United will host Limerick FC at Eamonn Deacy Park in what promises to be an interesting last eight tie.

The only pity, though, was a severe leg break suffered by promising on loan attacker Ayunga, who had impressed once again up front.

Manager Keegan was disappointed that United will be without Ayunga for the remainder of the campaign. Kevin Devaney was forced off with a groin injury, but Keegan is hopeful the winger will be available for the Bohemians' tussle.

"We have to be realistic, there are real negatives in terms of injuries after game," Keegan sated.

"We made two enforced changes before the half time whistle, it isn’t what we would’ve wanted. Those who were on the field did well, we’ve got a strong squad and we will have to cope with the injuries we picked up.”

United delivered a fine display in Inchicore as Ayunga netted early on following a delightful assist from the tireless Ronan Murray.

After the restart Pat's asked questions of a United defence that was marshalled in splendid fashion by Paul Sinnott and Stephen Folan.

“Even though Pat's had the play, we managed to keep them in front of us, whereas last week, we were letting Rovers down the side of us, but that didn’t happen," Keegan reflected. "We were happy with that.

“I thought the first half performance was really good, the goal, what a ball off Ronan Murray’s weaker foot, it was a fantastic delivery. Jonah has done brilliantly to knock it home."

Conor Winn was solid between the sticks for United with Keegan satisfied at how the match unfolded.

"We were a bit more on the back foot in the second half, but I don’t think we ever got as deep as we did against Shamrock Rovers," Keegan commented.

“We really invited it on last week, whereas we did stay reasonably high up against Pat's, I don’t think they dominated anywhere near as much as Rovers did. The key thing for us is we were so disappointed after last week's result, we had to learn from it and not allow it to happen again.

“I said to the players before the game, if we get into that position again, scoring first, we can’t allow that to happen again. We had to ride our luck a little bit at times and there was one or two hairy moments, but I don’t think Pat's had many easy chances. We were reasonably well shaped and we looked really good on the counter attack as well. I think it was a well deserved result overall.”

That was certainly the case for a battling United outfit prompted by Alex Byrne and Rory Hale in the centre of the park. The in form Gavan Holohan also contributed handsomely for the Tribesmen, who need to secure a positive result in Phibsboro now.

With seven league matches remaining United are currently three points from safety. A defining spell beckons as United continue their mission to retain top flight status.

•Galway United Friends Co-op is running a bus to Friday's premier division match against Bohemians at Dalymount Park, leaving The Dail Bar at 4pm and picking up along the route to Dublin. To book a seat contact Dominick Walsh (087 ) 9163438 or Stephen Dowling (086 ) 2361040.